Spring Training Thread

[UMDNats]

http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/harris_to_be_opening_day_start.html?partnerId=rss_was

[Lintyfresh85]

I really hate the idea of Dye.

He didn't hit all that well last year, and his defensive skills left him a long long time ago!

[The Chief]

Experimenting in RF with Harris as the fallback works for me.  If no one steps it up, then we can always shop for a corner next year.

[blue911]

Experimenting in RF with Harris as the fallback works for me.  If no one steps it up, then we can always shop for a corner next year.

Especially since Michael Cuddyer and Jason Werth are in their walk years.

[CJames0569]

I love Willie for his swagger and his defense, but no way I envisioned him as our starter in RF on opening day. Hope JMax can earn his chance this year, after sulking about being sent down last year.

[The Chief]

I love Willie for his swagger and his defense, but no way I envisioned him as our starter in RF on opening day. Hope JMax can earn his chance this year, after sulking about being sent down last year.

I don't think anyone was "envisioning" him as the starting RFer, but some of us think he's perfectly competent for that role for this year.

I too would like to see Maxwell come into his own, but I'd be lying if I said I'm expecting it to happen.

[HalfSmokes]

I don't think anyone was "envisioning" him as the starting RFer, but some of us think he's perfectly competent for that role for this year.

I too would like to see Maxwell come into his own, but I'd be lying if I said I'm expecting it to happen.

I think he's perfectly competent defensively, but I'd want more bat from a corner outfielder. Then again, if it allows Morgan to cheat to left, maybe the defense will make the team better as a whole

[The Chief]

I think he's perfectly competent defensively, but I'd want more bat from a corner outfielder.

As would I, but I don't see a significantly better bat on the market this year who would have realistically come to DC on a deal that makes sense for the team.

[sportsfan882]

2 rotation spots left for Martin, Stammen, Olsen, and Livo to fight out for.

I haven't felt that Martin or Stammen are getting a fair shot. They need more innings to prove just how superior they are to bums Olsen and Livo.

[Lintyfresh85]

Olsen isn't in the race. I'm pretty sure Riggs has him penciled in as the third starter.

[sportsfan882]

Olsen isn't in the race. I'm pretty sure Riggs has him penciled in as the third starter.

No, Mock is #3.

1. Lannan
2. Marquis
3. Mock
4. ?
5. ?

The starting rotation, to pinpoint one example, has just two spots up for grabs, and three (possibly four) pitchers fighting for them. Manager Jim Riggleman said this morning that John Lannan, Jason Marquis and Garrett Mock will be in the rotation, with two spots still up for grabs. He said Livan Hernandez, Scott Olsen and Craig Stammen are fighting for those spots, and later mentioned J.D. Martin as still being in consideration for one of the slots, too.

For Olsen especially, this is a key week. The Nationals have said all spring he'll be in the rotation if he's 100 percent healthy following shoulder surgery that ended his season last July. But his fastball is still only in the high 80s, several notches below his peak velocity of 91-93 mph. The Nationals could start him on the disabled list, option him to the minors or cut him and save $750,000 if they let him go by March 31.

"I think he's healthy, but I don't think he's 100 percent back yet," Riggleman said. "We've got at least two starts to continue to see him move toward that."

JD Martin is getting freaked. He deserves a spot over Livan!!

[DPMOmaha]

"I think he's healthy, but I don't think he's 100 percent back yet," Riggleman said.

what?  Those two thoughts don't make sense to me when paired together.

[Lintyfresh85]

Riggs has also said that Guz is a great offensive player... the man don't know much.

[sportsfan882]

Other assorted news:

#Nats lineup vs #Mets today: Guzman SS, Kennedy 2B, Zimm 3B, Dunn 1B, Willingham LF, Maxwell CF, Morse RF, NIeves C, Marquis P

NatsTownNews: J-Zim threw first bullpen this morning...10 off slope, 15 off rubber. Will throw again on wednesday.

NatsTownNews: Also, Ross Detwiler played catch from as far as 70 ft. with Head Trainer Lee Kuntz, and Chien-Ming Wang threw a bullpen earlier today. Detwiler said his hip already feels better than before surgery.

[Kevrock]

Olsen won't get a spot if he's pitching 85mph and getting shelled.

[The Chief]

Riggs has also said that Guz is a great offensive player... the man don't know much.

What's he going to say?  "Guzzie sucks, I sure wish Rizzo would trade his ass"?  Come on.

[sportsfan882]

I would release Olsen before March 31 to save the cash. I cannot see him amounting to anything this year. What you saw last year with him is what you get. He will get rocked more often than not.

[Lintyfresh85]

What's he going to say?  "Guzzie sucks, I sure wish Rizzo would trade his ass"?  Come on.

He should say that Guz has a lot to prove and as of right now I have him batting 8th as Kennedy gives our offense a spark in the 2 spot.

[HalfSmokes]

what?  Those two thoughts don't make sense to me when paired together.

They kind of do -he's healthy, but hasn't had a real spring training yet, so he's not yet pitching at 100%, then again its Riggleman (over under on us souring on him - I call June 1), so who knows

[DPMOmaha]

Riggs has also said that Guz is a great offensive player... the man don't know much.

I really don't have much issue with Guz offensively, it's in the field where he's been a killer. 

[tomterp]

Riggs has also said that Guz is a great offensive player... the man don't know much.

Sometimes they say that stuff not because they actually believe it, but because they have ulterior motives - in this case, perhaps to stroke Guzman's ego, or to try to encourage someone to want to deal for him.  As such, it could be the company line.

[Lintyfresh85]

Still, he's batting Guz second. He has to know that's bad for the team.

What other team in the major leagues is actually held hostage by their worst starter?

I really can't think of any other than the Nationals.

[NatsDad14]

Let me ask you this honestly: Do you have doubts in the Nationals rebuilding process based off the way sucks up to mediocre veterans (Guzman, Kearns, Livan, etc.) without giving the young guys opportunities they deserve not only because of their youth, but because they are better players (Desmond, Dukes, Martin/Stammen, etc.)?

We would be laughing at teams like the Pirates if they were held hostage by Freddie Sanchez or Matt Morris. The team doesn't know if they want to win now or rebuild.

[The Chief]

Still, he's batting Guz second. He has to know that's bad for the team.

I wasn't aware that he had officially named Guz the starter for the regular season.

Let me ask you this honestly: Do you have doubts in the Nationals rebuilding process based off the way sucks up to mediocre veterans (Guzman, Kearns, Livan, etc.) without giving the young guys opportunities they deserve not only because of their youth, but because they are better players (Desmond, Dukes, Martin/Stammen, etc.)?

We would be laughing at teams like the Pirates if they were held hostage by Freddie Sanchez or Matt Morris. The team doesn't know if they want to win now or rebuild.

Funny, I happen to think that's merely a reflection of them catering to a bi-polar fanbase.  We've certainly got people who fit that description here.

To respond to your question - I trust Rizzo for now, but I think it's too early make any sweeping predictions about where things are headed.  Several here seem to think that we're going to stink this season but somehow become contenders in 2011.  I'm not sure I understand the basis for this, but for me this is just another "see what sticks" year.  The only difference being that I think Rizzo actually knows what he's doing.

[Lintyfresh85]

I wasn't aware that he had officially named Guz the starter for the regular season.

http://masnsports.com/2010/03/guzman-will-bat-second-rigglem.html